Post # 278 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 7 -- February 8–14. Doctrine and Covenants 12–13; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75: “Upon You My Fellow Servants”
Dear Family and Friends
I pray that each one of you are doing well and counting your blessings each day. I have found this to be so helpful to write down my blessings as I count them. This allows me to look them over on days when I am not feeling so blessed. I think it's those days when my human side shines far too brightly.
You should remember that the Holy Ghost can give you inspiration as you study your scriptures just as He inspired or enlightened the minds of both Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey when they came to the Lord in prayer concerning the scriptures.
So as you are prayerfully studying Doctrine and Covenants 12–13 and Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75, make sure that you are listening for the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The next part comes directly from orCome, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manal:
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received additional knowledge as they prayed about truths they learned in the scriptures (see Joseph Smith—History 1:68). How will you follow their example?
68 e still continued the work of translation, when, in the cromming month: (May, 1829) , we on a certain day went into the woods to pray andinquiew of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in s cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:
Ask your family members and friends how they study the scriptures. What did they do to find insights in the scriptures this week? The next section comes directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Most people around the world have probably never heard of a place called Harmony, Pennsylvania. But the Lord often chooses obscure locations for the most significant events in His kingdom. In a wooded area near Harmony on May 15, 1829, John the Baptist appeared as a resurrected being to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. He placed his hands on their heads and conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon them, calling them “my fellow servants” (Doctrine and Covenants 13:1).
Upon my fellow servants, unb the name of the Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never again be taken from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer it again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
To be considered a fellow servant with John the Baptist, who baptized the Savior and prepared the way for His coming (see Matthew 3:1–6, 13–17), must have been humbling, perhaps even overwhelming to these two young men in their twenties. At the time, Joseph and Oliver were relatively unknown, much as Harmony was. But service in God’s work has always been about how we serve, not about who notices. However small or unseen your contribution may seem at times, you too are a fellow servant in the Lord’s great work.
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel[s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was ;locust and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the regions rouns about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
13 then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbade him, daying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him..
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
I always learn so much when I write out the scriptures. It seems to sink into my braun a little more than just reading them:) if you havent tried it, you should. The next part comes to you directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The Lord wants me to help establish the cause of Zion.
Joseph Knight Sr. and his wife, Polly, met Joseph Smith when, as a 20-year-old, he began to work on their farm in Colesville, New York. Joseph Knight described him as the best worker he ever had. He believed Joseph Smith’s testimony about the gold plates and took Polly to visit Joseph Smith while he was translating the Book of Mormon at his home in Harmony, Pennsylvania. She immediately believed. For the rest of their lives, Joseph and Polly remained faithful to the restored gospel. More than 60 members of the Knight family joined and helped establish the Church in New York, Ohio, Missouri, Nauvoo, and eventually Salt Lake City.
Joseph Knight wanted to know how he could help in the work of the Lord. The Lord’s answer (now Doctrine and Covenants 12) applies to “all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work” (verse 7)—including you. What does it mean to you “to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion”? (verse 6). How do the principles and attributes in verses 7–9 help you do this?
See also “The Knight and Whitmer Families,” Revelations in Context, 20–24.
The Aaronic Priesthood was restored by John the Baptist.
Since this section discusses the Aaronic Priesthood you may want to divide your family members and friends into respective pairs this covers ages 12 and up. If your family scripture study group does not fit into these dynamics you may want to check out this lesson in the Come, Follow Me for Primary which you can find here:
Now to get to the discussion on section 13. And to teach the young people in your family scripture study group about the Aaronic Priesthood. You should ask them to review and discuss the following questions in their pairs:
What does section 13 teach about the Aaronic Priesthood that young people should understand? How could this section be of help to your young people to understand the Aaronic Priesthood? When your pairs have reviewed this section have them share what they have found to be of help to them.
You could read through the following resources which are found in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families with your family members and friends to help explain some of the phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 13.
October 2008 general conference
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/the-ministry-of-angels?lang=eng
The Priesthood and the Savior’s Atoning Power
October 2017 general conference
There are other scripture references as well as other helpful resources below in the ideas for personal scripture study. You may want to have your family members and friends share with one another what they have learned from studying these resources?
For this next part you can get out your poster board and write the words 'Priesthood Keys’ across the top. I think you will need to make a T form below this title. On one side write the word ‘first uses’ on the other side write the word ‘second uses.’
Then draw a few outlines of a key on both sides of your T form and show a set of keys to your family members and friends.Ask them what we use keys for? What do keys allow us to be able to do? The following explanation by Sister Ruth and Elder Dale G. Renlund could also help.
What are priesthood keys?
Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Ruth, offered this explanation about priesthood keys:
“The term priesthood keys is used in two different ways. The first refers to a specific right or privilege conferred upon all who receive the Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood. … For instance, Aaronic Priesthood holders receive the keys of the ministering of angels and the keys of the preparatory gospel of repentance and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins (see Doctrine and Covenants 13:1; 84:26–27). Melchizedek Priesthood holders receive the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, the key of the knowledge of God, and the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the Church (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:19; 107:18). …
“The second way the term priesthood keys is used refers to leadership. Priesthood leaders receive additional priesthood keys, the right to preside over an organizational division of the Church or a quorum. In this regard, priesthood keys are the authority and power to direct, lead, and govern in the Church” (The Melchizedek Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [2018], 26).
Here are a couple of questions to answer with your family members and friends: What blessings do the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood give us access to? How would our lives be different without these blessings?
If you think about this restored gospel you will realize just how amazing it really is. The real beauty is that the restored gospel engages each one of us in the very same work that the Lord had the people in the scriptures doing during their lifetime
-- and that is building the kingdom of God here on earth. The Lord asks each one of us to help build the kingdom of God here on the earth, which kind of makes us sort of “fellow servants” with those who have gone on before us.
And now for another question: What does it mean to be a fellow servant in the Lord’s work? Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 1:13–17; 3:2–20 can help you and your family members and friends to better understand the work John the Baptist did.
Joseph Smith Baptizes Oliver Cowdery, by Del Parson
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
The Aaronic Priesthood was restored by John the Baptist.
In just one sentence, John the Baptist revealed many truths about the Aaronic Priesthood. Consider listing everything you learn from this section (including from the section heading). You might find it helpful to study some of the phrases you find. Here are some examples to get you started:
“The keys of the ministering of angels”: 2 Nephi 32:2–3; Moroni 7:29–32; Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 29–31; Guide to the Scriptures, “Angels,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
“The keys … of the gospel of repentance”: 3 Nephi 27:16–22; Doctrine and Covenants 84:26–27; Dale G. Renlund, “The Priesthood and the Savior’s Atoning Power,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 64–67
“The sons of Levi”: Numbers 3:5–13; Doctrine and Covenants 84:31–34; Guide to the Scriptures, “Aaronic Priesthood,” “Levi,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
What blessings have you received through the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood?
Ordinances give us access to God’s power.
You and your family members and friends should review the following scripture passages:Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75, including the note to verse 71.
You will be looking for the blessings which Joseph and Oliver received after their baptism and their priesthood ordination. How do ordinances provide spiritual power?
You might want to use this time to have your family members and friends share their own experiences of times when they have felt the power that comes from receiving priesthood ordinances, such as baptism, the sacrament, or temple ordinances.
It may be helpful to show the video: “Blessings of the Priesthood” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to further your discussion. After watching the video you may want to get out another piece of poster board to make a list of blessings.
You should write across the top of your poster board the following words: Ordinances and Blessings. Then you and your family members and friends can search the following scriptures that will help you fill out your chart:
John 14:26; Acts 2:38; Doctrine and Covenants 84:19–22; 131:1–4; Joseph Smith—History 1:73–74. You and your family members and friends could also include other blessings which you and / or they have revived due to these ordinances.
It might even be helpful for your family scripture study group to share your / their experiences when they have felt that the ordinances wh9ch they have received brought the Savior’s love into your / their lives.
Ideas for Personal Scripture Study
Ordinances give me access to God’s power.
Sister Carole M. Stephens, former counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, taught: “Priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fulness of the blessings promised to us by God, which are made possible by the Savior’s Atonement. They arm sons and daughters of God with power, God’s power, and provide us with the opportunity to receive eternal life” (“Do We Know What We Have?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 12).
October 2013 general conference
These priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fulness of the blessings promised to us by God, which are made possible by the Savior’s Atonement. They arm sons and daughters of God with power, God’s power, and provide us with the opportunity to receive eternal life—to return to God’s presence and live with Him in His eternal family.
As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75, including the note at the end of verse 71, consider what inspired Joseph and Oliver to inquire about baptism, and note the blessings that came to them after participating in priesthood ordinances. Consider reading journal entries you may have written after receiving ordinances or recording your memories of those events. What blessings have you received through priesthood ordinances?
See also Doctrine and Covenants 84:20–22; Saints, 1:65–68.
Keep reading for some great ideas for your family scripture study and family home evenings as well. I hope you will give them a try:) These are directly from the Come, Follow Me for Individuals and Families manual:
Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening
Why are the characteristics listed in this verse necessary when we are doing the Lord’s work?
What might build your family’s faith in the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood? The video “Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or the artwork that accompanies this outline could help your family visualize the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. Would they enjoy drawing a picture of the event, based on what they read in Joseph Smith—History 1:68–74? They could also share their testimonies about the power of the priesthood in their lives.
See also “Priesthood Restoration Site” at history.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
How can we follow the example of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to find answers to our questions? Perhaps as you read together, you could make it a regular habit to pause and ask if anyone has questions about what they are reading.
Joseph Smith—History 1:71, note.
What impresses members of your family about Oliver Cowdery’s words? What are some of your family’s “days never to be forgotten”?
What effect did the Holy Ghost have on Joseph and Oliver? When has the Spirit helped your family understand the scriptures and rejoice in the Lord?
For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.
Suggested song: “The Priesthood Is Restored,” Children’s Songbook, 89.
Upon You My Fellow Servants, by Linda Curley Christensen and Michael T. Malm
This week I have included two sections for improving our teaching to add to your box of helping ideas which includes both improving our teaching and improving our scripture study that you have put together for future reference.
Improving Our Teaching
Study a topic. As a family, choose a topic you would like to study in more detail. For instance, this week you might use the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) to find scriptures about the Aaronic Priesthood.
Improving Our Teaching
Bear your testimony often. “Your simple, sincere witness of spiritual truth can have a powerful influence on those you teach. … It need not be eloquent or lengthy” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 11). Consider sharing your personal witness of the Aaronic Priesthood as you discuss Doctrine and Covenants 13.
As you know, we are at the end of our lesson. I realize that this is another lesson which is primarily for those of you who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I believe that this lesson is a good way for others to learn about the Priesthood.
I believe it is through the Priesthood blessings that I have the life that I still have. That i am able to still work after fighting stage 4 breast cancer for 5 years. I also believe that the Lord moved me here so that I would have the best treatments available.
The cancer center was a small facility the first year or two, but the new facility is wonderful and it is a state of the art facility. I am so grateful to the Lord for His guidance in my life and for providing such wonderful care for me here.
I pray that whoever reads this blog will find within themselves a knowledge that the Priesthood is the Lord’s Priesthood here on the earth. It is here for the benefit of the Lord’s children. I have sent Elders to non-members homes to give them a priesthood blessing.
They received a blessing for the sick. So I know that it can benefit all of His children. Please remember that you are each one a child of God and He loves you and wants to bless you always. Just something to think about. Until my next post,please be safe:)
